Wire-fabric-making machine.



J. W. DWIGGINS.

WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 0.0'129, 1907.

Patented Feb, 14, 1911.

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J. W. DWIG-Gms.

WIRE PABBIU' MAKING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED OOIT. 9, 1907.

Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

WI TNESSES: @ham ATTORNEY.-

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y 5 1 I 12o a .T. W. DWIGGIINTSI4 WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 001.9, 1907.

983,985. Petentea Feb.14,1911.

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WIRE 111131110 MAKING 1111101111111.

APPLICATION FILED 011129,1907. 983,985. Patented 11611.14, 1911.

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INI/NTOR.

John W.Dwgg1na.

WITNSS'ES.- s' V ATTORNEY.

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WITINSSES" I INVENTOR. @M V J 01111 WDT/viggin s.

' ATTORNEY,

J. W. ',DWIGGINS. WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

APPLIUA'IION FILED 00T. 9, 1907.

Patented Feb. I4, 1911.

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WIRE PABRIO MAKING MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 9

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J. W. DWIGGINS. WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE@` APPLICATION FILED l00'1.9, 1907.

983,985. Patented Feb. 14; 1911.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

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INVENTOR.

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JL4 W. DWIGGINS. WIRE FABRIU MAKING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED 00T.9,19o7.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. DWIGGINS, 0F MUNCIE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR T0 ALLEN C. SHIIVIER, 0F ANDERSON, INDIANA.

WIRE-FABRIC-MAKING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concer/n:

Be it known that I, JoiIN W. Dwieoi'Ns, of Muncie, county of Delaware, and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Machine for Making Vire Fabric; and I do hereby declare that the following a full, clear, and exact description thereof,

reference being had to the accompanying carriage that continuously moves the longiiudinal 'wires longitudinally and I mount the weaving device on said carriage so it will travel therewith and means are also provided for giving to said weaving device a movementtransversely of the carriage whereby, as it moves along with the longi t'udinal wires, it will move transversely nf them and weave cross wires with them. This simultaneous and continuous longitudinal and transverse movement of the weaving device causes it to pursue a course diagonal of the machine. Hence, along with the foregoing feature of invention', there is the further improvement of providing a zigzag track diagonally of the machine for guiding the movements of said weaving device. Alternate portions of said track extend diagonally of the machine for guiding said weaving device transversely and all of the longitudinal wires in succession and alternate intermediate portions of said track that are parallel with the longitudinal wires along which portions said weaving device moves While Weaving cross wires with the longitudinal wires. In tl'ii' longitudinal portions of the track means are provided for actuating the weaving device.

Another feature of my invention consists in providing an endless carriage with means for gripping and moving the longitudinal wires of the fabric while said gripping de-l vice is moving along the upper partof the machine. Included in this 1s the ldea of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

Application filed October 9, 1907. Serial No. 396,549.

continlmusly moving the weaving device and the means for gripping and holding the longitudinal wires longitudinally of the machine across the top and back along the bottom thereof to the beginning of the weaving .movement, so that there is an inclined guide way on the upper part of the machine for guiding the weaving device diagonally of the machine during the weaving processes and another for returning it diagonally along the bottom side of the machine until it again reaches the starting point.

My invention also includes the idea of providing a plurality of said weaving devices in connect-ion with said endless carriage, preferably more than twice as many weaving devices as longitudinal wires, whereby there will always loe one weaving device at all times operating in connection with each longitudinal wire, so that if there be six or twelve longitudinal wires in the fabric being woven, there will be six or twelve weaving devices simultaneously weaving stay wires with the longitudinal wires. In this way great speed and capacity is olotained as the stay wires can be woven with the longitudinal wires as rapidly as the longitudinal. wires can be moved through the machine. In connection with the foregoing said endless carriage is provided with a number of transversely extending pairs of rods on each pair of which a weaving device is slidably mounted and so it may be slid longitudinally of said transverse rods and transversely of the machine.

Another feature of the invention, and a very important one, consists in providing a spool holder in the weaving device that has longitudinal slots for the longitudinal wires, which slots are located on opposite sides of the center of the spool holder, and in that connection means for revolving the spool holder a number of revolutions and one-half of a revolution more, so that the wea-ving device may loe readily shifted from one longitudinal wire to the next and will be in position to disengage one longitudinal wire and to receive the next one, and by this means the weaving device, although it eX- tends above the longitudinal wires, may be moved transversely of the series of longitudinal wires without any difliculty. In lthis .connection means are provided for maintaining the spool holder in each weaving device in a certain position, preferably with the said slots horizontal while being shifted from one longitudinal wire to the next.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing a weaving device that will weave sin'niltaneously two cross wires with the longitudinal wires. To that end two spools carrying two cross wires are mounted in each weaving device, one spool weaving a cross wire at one side of the device and the other spool weaving a cross wire at the other side of the device. Along with the foregoing t-here is provided transversely extending bars for guiding the longitudinal wires, the weaving device being located between said guide bars and movable transversely of the machine between them, whereby each cross wire will be coiled on the longitudinal wires near the bars for guiding the strand wires. In connection with the foregoing a pair of guiding bars is provided with means for opening and closing the holding slots for receiving the longitudinal wires as said holding bars are carried by the endless carriage up to the longitudinal wires and for releasingthe said longitudinal wires as said holdin-g bars are moved downward from said longitudinal wires. r In connection with the foregoing, means are provided for normally holding and guiding the longitudinal wires over the machine.

Another feature consists in providing means along with each weaving device foi'l cutting ott the cross wires from the spools t after they have been coiled about the series of longitudinal wires and for holding the ends of the cross wires until after the beginning of t-he ceiling of a new set of cross wires about the longitudinal wires. Means are also provided for giving the spool holder in each weaving device a quarter turn after it has left the last longitudinal wire, so the spools therein will be readily accessible for removing and replacing the same; and also means are provided before the beginning of the weaving process at the other end of the machine for giving the spool another quarter of a turn to bring it to the right position for the first longitudinal wire of the series.

It is observed that, after the longitudinal wires have been started in this machine it is entirely automatic in its various operations, excepting that new spools of cross wires must be inserted as rapidly as the progress of the work demands.

The foregoing and other features of my invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings forming a part hereof Figure l is an elevation of the right hand side of a small machine adapted to make a siX strand fabric, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section thereof on thc lino 9.--9. of Fig. l, some parts howcvciI being ren'ioved. Fig. 25 is a plan. view of said machine with the ends thereof broken away and the lower parts and driving mechanism not beingsnown. Fig. et. is a plan view of the zigzag guide way at the beginning or the left hand end of Fig. El, it being shown vupon an enlarged scale and parts heilig broken away. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the right hand side of a weaving device with the parts in their normal positions, the parts of the machine in connection with which said weaving device is mounted being in vertical section longitudinally of the machine. Fig. G is an elevation of the left hand side of what is shown in Fig. 5 with the mechanism for cutting oli' and holding the ends of the stay wires in operated and locked position, and the means for actuating said cutting otll mechanism being shown in vertical section of the machine, parts being broken away. Fig. is an elevation of the right hand end of the spool carrying means as it appears in Fig. 5. Fig. S is a vertical section .longitudinally of the spool holding mechanism on the line. 8 8 of Fig. 7, parts being broken a way. Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. Fig. l0 is a. perspective view of a joint between the strand wire and stay wire of the fabric being made by this inachine. Fig. 1l is the same as Fig. 9 with parts broken away and showing the same in its position during the shifting of the weaving device from one strand wire to the next. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on the line 12-12 of Fig. G showing a bottom view of a. portion of the weaving mechanism, parts being broken away. Fig. 13 is a detail of the means for locking the mechanism for cutting oit and holding the stay wires, substantially the same as it is shown in Fig. 6, excepting that it. is shown in connection with the means for releasing said locking mechanism, said latter means being shown in a. vertical section longitudinally of the machine. Fig. 14 is asection on the line let-*14 of Fig. 13, showing the parts in plan view. Fig. 15 is a plan view of the beginning of the zigzag guide way for the weaving devices, and parts of a weaving device being shown on the. line l5 l5 of Fig. 5 iii full lines in the entering` position and in dotted lines in the advanced position. F ig. 16 is a vertical section on the line 16"16 of Fig. l5. Fig. 17 is a horizontal section on the line 17-17 of Fig. 6. Fig. 1S is a vertical lsection on the line lS-S of Fig.`

6, and transversely of the machine. Fia: 1.9 is a side elevation of a portion o-f the endless carriage and a strand wire, parts being broken away. Fig. 2O is an elevation4 of a. pair of the strand wire holding bars and the means in which they are mounted, the latter partly broken away and the holdgrippmg bars in their gripping position.

F ig. 2G is a .vertical section on the lines 2t-26 of F ig. `Q5, showing the parts in elevation. Fig 2T is a plan view of one end of what is shc.vn in Fig. 25 and the means for releasing the gripping mechanism, parts being l. .r ken away. 'li`ig. 23 is a plan view of the weaving device with a spool holder in the j; ion it occupies when it is ready to leave one longitudinal wire and be moved to the next. Fig. 29 is an end elevation of the weaving device with the parts in the same position, there being also shown the guide way in cross section for guiding and actuating said weaving device. Fig. 30 is a longitudinal section through the upper part oit' the machine near one side thereof on the line 30-30 of 3, showingy the three links of the carriage and the parts carried thereby associated. Fig. 3l is a plan view of the zigzag guide way for the weaving devices at the starting or left hand end ofthe device'as viewed in Fig. 1, the various positions of the means for guiding and actuating the weaving device being shown by dotted and full lines as they enter said guide way. Fig. 32 is a side elevation of the weaving device and vertical cross section of the zigzag guide way at the point just after the spool holder has left the last longitmilinal. wire in the series and when the e is being cut oitl'. Fig. 33 is the f .l s itnving the parts moved slightly further along the cor se of the machine on the upper side after the spool holder has been given a quarter turn and the parts being in condition to pass over the end and along under the machine to return to the weaving position at the front end of the imichine.

The machine which shown in the draw ings for the purj'iose of illustrating` the geineral nature of my invention is provided with a rectangular frame, consisting of the lower side bars 30, the upper side bars 3l. the vertical iron colui'nns 32 and iron frames 33 and 34 intermediate the upper and lower side bars, and the cross bars located at intervals on the lower side bars 30 and the cross bars 36 secured at intervals to the under side of the top side bars 3l. The lower side bars 3() are mounted on blocks 37. it one end of the frame just described. on the base 4() frames 41 are provided for mounting the rod 4t2 on which reels are placed contain ing the longitudinal strand wires 4ta. These strand wires pass from the reels 43 about the tension pulleys i5 mounted likewise in the frames al and thence longitudinally over the roller 5l on the arms 52 projecting from the forward end of the frame and the fabric when woven passes over the elevated roller a6 mounted on the arms il? extending rearward from the rear end of the machine and thence to the reel i8 mounted on the arms t) upon which. the fabric is wound.. The strand wires t-Ll are drawn over the machine by the reel d8, the shaft 50 of which is actuated by the chain 53. The details of the reel actllating mechanism are not here shown as the same may be of any well known type, and l do not wish to limit my invention to any particular means for actuating the reel 4 8 or drawing the strand wires and fabric across the machine.

The machine here shown is adapted to make a fence with. six longitudinal wires but it is thus shown for conveniemjae in making the drawings, as o1(lina11^ily such. fences would have about twelve strand wires and therefore the machine for manufacturing it would need to be wider and longer than that here shown. In other words, l do not wish the invention to be limited to a machine of any particular size or capacity.

As the strand wires pass over th e machine, the transverse stay wires (3() are wound about said strand wires by :means that will new be explained. There is a stay wire weaving mechanism for winding each stay wire in place that is substai'itially as shown in Figs. 5 to l1, ,and mounted on a peculiarly coustructed endless carriage consisting of side links (S1 and. G2 arranged alternately with each other on each side of the machine and pivoted together by heavy cross rods (33. This makes substai'itially a pair of endless sprocket chains, one a t each side of the machine, the two chains being connected by thc pivot rods 63; and the stay wire weaving mechanism is mounted transversely slidable on each pair of said pivot rods, as will hereafter be explained. The endless carriage referred to mounted on hexagonal sprocket wheels (ill secured to the shaft (i5 and the sprocket wheels lill n'iounted on the shaft (3T. The shaft (l5 is mounted in the bearings (38 secured to the frame 3ft, while the shaft G7 is mounted on bearings 69 secured upon hori zontal portions of the castings- 33, as appears in Fig. 1. Said carriage is actuated b v power applied to the shaft by means of the gear 70 on said shaft that meshes with the pinion 7l on the shaft 73 and which is actuated by gear 72 and the pinion 75 se cured on the shaft 7G which carries the driving pulley 77 that is driven by belt 73 that runs from some suitable source of power. The shafts 76 and 73 are mounted upon horizontal portions of the castings 34. The wheels 6G at the other end of the machine are idlers. v

On each end of each rod G3 there is a wheel 8O that rides upon an angle iron track 81 that extends horizontally and longitudinally of the machine in the upper part thereof; and at the under side of the machine said wheels 8O run in the similar guide ways S2. These tracks or guide ways 81 and 82 guide and hold the endless carriage v-ery accurately so as to permit the same to h ave longitudinal movement and prevent the lateral play or movement thereof.

Each link 61 consists of a body portion that has for its function not only the formation of the socket like carriage or chain referred to, but it also has two oppositely located upwardly and outwardly extendingl arms 85 adapted to carry the transversely extending bars 86. As seen in Figs. Q() to 24 this bar 86 is made of angle iron and therefore consists of two portions at a right angle to each other and said right-angled bar rests upon horizontal projections 87 from the arms 85 that eXtendat a right angle therefrom, as seen in Fig. 19 and the vertical portion of the bar 86 is secured by rivets or bolts 88, see Fig. 20, to the vertical portions of the arms 85. Each of said transverse guide bars 86 is provided with V-shaped notches 87 in its upper edge, said notches being arranged at the same distances from each other as the strand wires of the fabric, so that said strand wires will lie in said notches when said cross bars are traveling across the upper part of the machine. Said bars S6 are not movable longitudinally of themselves nor transversely of the machine but move longitudinally of the machine along with the endless carriage referred to. To prevent the escape of the strand wires from the notches 87 in said bars 86, a companion bar 90 is mounted Vbeside the vertical portion of the bar SG and rides upon the horizontal portion thereof, as seen in Fig. Q4. This vertical bar is provided with slots 91 with vertical mouths or openings and with a horizontal portion and at suoli distances apart as will enable them to` register with the notches S7 in the bar 86, see Figs. 20 to 24. A longitudinal slot 92 is provided in the bar 90 so that the pin 98 fastened in the bar S6 may project loosely through said slot and serve to guide and limit the longitudinal movement of the bar 90. Said bar 90 is held in its normal position by the spring 94 that is fastened to the plate 95 secured on the horizontal portion of the bar 86 at one end and to the plate 96 secured to the side of the bar 90, as shown in Fig. 21. That spring normally holds the bar 90 at its right hand limit of movement, as shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 23. Said bar 90 is longitudinally actuated by the cam plates 97 and 9S, one at each end of the machine, see Fig. 3, and when thus actuated the mouths of the notches 87 and 91 in the two bars 8G and 90 register with each other, as shown in Fig. 22. This position of the parts is obtained as these guiding bars move upward over the wheels 66 and come in contact with the strand wires and enables said strand wires to, enter both of said slots, and then as the endless carriage moves farther the bar 90 escapes from the cam plate 97 and the spring 94: draws said bar to the position shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 23, so that the strand wires cannot escape from said guide and holding bars during the travel thereof over the upper part of the machine. Then said bars 86 and 90 reach the other end of the machine and start down over the wheels Get then the cam 98 moves the bar 90 to the position shown in Fig. 22 and permits all the strand wires to escape the grip of the bar 90.

As stated before, there is an individual device for weaving each transverse stay wire with the strand wires and said device travels with the strand wires and the fabric as a whole through the machine. Each stay wire weaving device, as shown in Figs. 5 to 11, is mounted transversely slidable upon a pair of pivot rods 63 and said pivot rods form a part of the endless carriage so that these weaving devices travel with and are moved by the carriage and that is the chief function of the endless carriage. There is likewise a set of strand wire guiding bars 8G and 90 located substantially over each pivot rod 63 and parallel therewith, as seen in- Figs. 2 and 5, and between each pair of which a weaving' device is located so that the holding bars 86 and 90 will hold the strand wires in close proximity to the sides of the weaving device. 1t may also be stated that this weaving device simultaneously unites two transverse stay wires with the strand wires, there being one stay wire put on at each side of the weaving device and in close proximity to the strand wire holding bars. 1

Each weaving device consists of a rectangular frame, formed, as herein shown, of the bottom plate 100, and vertical side plates 101 held together by bolts 10Q and each end provided with semi-circular grooves so that, registering, they form a tube through which pivotI rods 63 extend loosely, and the device as a whole may ride along on a pair of said pivot rods 63. There is, therefore, one of these weaving devices between each oppositely located pair o-f links G1 in the endless carriage and preferably two more than double the number of strand wires in the fabric being made. Thus, in the machine shown fourteen weaving devices areA required to make a six strand fence, because siX of these weaving devices must be uppermost in actuating position all of the time, one for each strand Wire, and there Will he, thereiore, six oit' them on the under side and one at each end. I have slnnvn a machine for making only a six Wire tence, hut l do not Wish it to he limited as a twelve 'Wire fence is more usual and for .making` twelve wire fences tiventy-six of 'these Weaving devices are required.

The end plates 101 ot each. Weaving` device carry a Aiatt 103 which holds them at the proper distances apart and said shaft carries a hevel pinion 104lfmeshinp' with` the horizlinital bevel gear 105011 the vertical shaft 10G in the hearingblock 10T en the hottom plate 1.00. A horizontal gear 108 is secured on. the lower end ot.' shaiitfltlt) heneath the plate 100 and there is also a. rectangular liloclv 11G secured on the shaft 10G over said Wheel 108. There is also a friction vvheel 109 mouiitcd. inthe sleeve 110 extending down through the bottom plate 1.00. Gear 10S is so located on the under side et plate 100 that in traveling; over the upper side of the machine it Will engage the racks 112 that :t'orm a part oit a zigzafrg' track extendin diagonally olli the ma chine on the upper portion thereot.y as shown in Figs. 3 and l. Said rack hars 112 are mounted uponthe plate or hoard 115 that extends diagonally of the-machine and rests upon the upper cross hars 30. Said rack hars 112 are located exactly parallel ivith a longitiulinal line th rough the. mach ine and thereitore ivith the strand wires when they yare in place, and there is one ot these rack hars 112 under each strand. bar and conseqnently under the path. 't'ollowetfl hy the nothes 87 and 91 in the hars SG .and 00. lnclined guide liars 113 extend trom one rack har 112 to the next one and ahove the same so as to he on a higher plane and in. a position to he en gaf id hy the holding' block 110 while the weavingdevice is passino' over the portion ot said zigzag traelc repi sented hy the hars 1.13 in the direction of the arrows in Fig'. 4.. Besides said raclr hars 112 and guide hars 1". 3. there is a guide har 1141";n'ranged with Vsections opposite to and parallel with said rack hars 112 and other sections opposite to and parallel. with said `guide hars 113 and in position to he engaged hy the ricticm wheel 1.09. .Lis the Weaving device is moved along over-the zigzag track, said. Wheels 108 and 109 and block. 116 extend doivn in the path between the rack hars 1.12 and. guide hars 113 on one side andv the guide har 1141, on the other side. So that said friction wheel 100. hearingagrail'ist the inner surface of tl guide har 114 ivill hold the 2gear 108 `in me. 1 with the rack har'112 a nd will hold the hloclt 116 in engagement with `euide har 11B.y Whercliiy the Weaving' device Will he opA erated While .it is ijiassing over the rack har 112 and therefore inline with the strzn'nl vvires and Will. not operateavhile passingi;f

from one rack to the nciit one and therefore .trrjnn one strand Wire to the next one.

The function of block 11G is to hold or lock the spool carrying mechanisi'n in place While the Weaving device is beingl moved over from. one longitudinal wire to the next so that the spool holder will properly ap` preach the longitudinal Wire toward which it is moving, as in Fig'. 11. Hence, block 116 slides aloner in engagement with guide hars 113 until the near 108 strikes the rack har 112. Then the hlock 116 revolves alongr with the gear. The notches 119 in the hars 113 are to permit the block 11G to turn as Lgear 108 starts on or leaves the rack har 112.

ritter the Weavingdevice has passed along the upper part et' the machine and Woven in its cross Wires and at the time it leaves the longitudinal Wires turnii'ig` downward therefrom at the rear end of the machine, the V- shaped slots in the spools must he vertical, to permit the longitudinal Wires to escape tly trom. But while the Weaving' device is mg along' 'under the machine and up over the 'liront end thereof to begin an operation, it is desirable that the spool holder he given a quarter turn to put the V-shaped slots in a horizontal position in order that the spools may he readily removed or inserted as they hecome empty. Therefore, the last yguide bar 113 in. the zigzag fguide Way, see Fin'. 15 is bent somewhat so that it Will turn the hloel 116 sutliciently to cause a miarter turn et the spool holder. Likewise.,

when the Weaving device has .moved up over the liront end of the machine and started upon its upper horizontal course, the first nitride har 113 is also bent, see Fig. 15, so that it ivill act on the hlock 11G in such manner as to give the spool holder a quarter turn hack toits vertical position in order that it may receive the longitudinal Wire l'or the next operation.

Each Weaving' device carries tivo spools 120 on each ot which Wire 60 is Wound. These spools are at one end .mounted in the dislt 122 on the opposite sides of the center thereof, and said disl: has hearing in a semicircular recess .in the upper part ot the hearing plate 123that is secured to the upper partot' the side plates 101. At the right hand end. as shoivn in Figs. 5 and 8. said spools 120 haver hearing in. the large disk 124C that is vprovided peiiipherally With teeth and onv its side surface has an annular 'Flange 125 that has hearing'r in the hearine; nlate12f3, the same as at the other end of the device. This enables the two spools to loe revolved, as the tivo disks 122 and 124 are connected hy an intermediate, longitudinally extending connection 126. This connectine; har o-r means, as shown in Fie; 9, has donhle forks from near the center thereotz outward radially so that there is a narrow V-shaped groove on diametrically opposite sides of the center Of said spool mechanism and corresponding V-shaped openings in the disks 122 and 12e so that the longitudinal strand wire lamay enter and lie in one of said V-shaped grooves, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, during the twisting of the stay wire 6() about said strand wire. The spools are removably mounted, as shown in Fig. S, as each spool is provided with a recess 13() centrally in the end thereof for the spring 131 and the sliding spindle 132 that is held outward by said spring and the outward movement of the spindle by the spring is limited by the pin 1.33 on said spindle, which pin projects through the slot 131 in the spool. By pushing the spindle 132 inward, the spool may he. removed.

The spool gear 12-1 meshes with the grar wheel 135 on the shaft 103, as shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, as the wea-ving device travels along the straight portion of the zigzag path so that the gear 108 meshes with the rack bar 112, the pair of spools will be revolved aboutthe center of the mechanism on which the spools are mounted, that is, the longitudinal center of the connecting bar 126 which is parallel with and near the strand wire 44 lying in one of the grooves thereof. Hence, during such revolution of the pair of spools, two stay wires G0 will be coiled about the strand wire. rlhe wire on the two spools is separate and passes from each spool through an eye or perforated piece 13S secured in the plate or gear 122 at a point o-n the opposite side. of the strand wire from the spool oif which the stay wire is drawn, so that as the spool mechanism is re.- volved, the stay wire will be coiled about the strand wire. The stay wire from one spool leads through the eye 138 at one end of the weaving device, while the stay wire from the other spool leads through a similar eye 13S at the other end of the weaving device, whereby two parallel stay wires are woven with t-he strand wires by said weaving device simultaneously, as indicated in Fig. 5.

The means for actuating the spools in the machine herein shown is arranged to give the same two and one-half turns, whereby the stay wire will be coiled about the strand wire two and one-half times, as shown in Fig. 10. This makes a very firm union but the gear may be arranged so as to make a greater or less coil.

From the foregoing, it is seen that as each weaving device is carried from the under side upward over the left hand end wheels 66, as appears in Fig. 1, the downwardly projecting wheels 108 and 109 and block 11G from said weaving device will enter the Zig- Zag guide way, as shown. in Fig. 15. About the same time the strand wire holding bar 90, shown in Fig. 20, will be acti'xated to the position shown in Fig. 22, so that the strand wires will enter the notches S7 and 91. On the further movement of the weaving device bythe carriage, the gear 10S at the bottom of the weaving device will meet the vfirst rack bar 112 and coil stay wires 60 around the nearest strand wire, shown in Fig. 3. Simultaneously with this ceiling, the weaving device is carried along for the length of the rack bar 112 and likewise the strand wires are simultaneously and with the same speed and by the saine ultimate driving mechanism moved longitudinally along the. device.

After the stay wires have been coiled two and one-half times, the weaving device will be moved diagonally by the guide bars 113 and 114 on the zigzag track to the second strand wire, the iirst strand wire having escaped from the narrow V-shaped slot. in the spool holding mechanism as said mechanism is moved laterally away therefrom, as indicated in Fig'. 11. The rack bar mechanism is of such length as to canse the spool holding mechanism to revolve only two and one-half times, so that the V-shaped grooves will always be left in a horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 10. Hence, said spool holding device moves to the left, as shown in Fig. 11 away from the one strand wire to the next one. ln this manner the strand wires enter the V-shaped slots automatically, one after the other. Thus, two stay wires are coiled successively about the strand wires beginning atthe nearest one shown in Fig. 3 and continuing until the farthest one is reached, the strand wires moving along all the time at the same speed as the weaving device so that when the weaving device has moved entirely across the top of the machine in the zigzag direction indicated, it will have woven two stay wires transversely across the strand wires at exact right angles therewith. Since there is on the upper side of the machine always as many weaving devices as strand wires, there will be always one weaving device in engagement with one strand wire when the weaving device has reached the rack bars 112 and all of said weaving devices will be simultaneously actuated for coiling the stay wires about the st and wires and simultaneously moved from one strand wire to the next one. Hence, in the machine shown there will always be six weaving devices ceiling simultaneously twelve stay wires about the strand wires, and in a fullsize ma chine for making a twelve wire fence there will be twenty-four stay wires being put on simultaneously and at all times. This makes the capacity of the machine very great and in fact weaves the fence fast as it can be drawn through the machine and by making the machine comparatively heavy and strong the movement of wire fence fabric through the machine may be at a considerable speed and for this reason, the capacity of the niallA o. eachmwc-iaiing device @sense chine, it is believed, :tar exceeds any one previously devised for making fence or wire fabric of this general character. 1t is necessary, however, that there shall be mechanism to cut ott the stay wires after they have have been wound about all the strand wires and to hold the cut ends thereof until the weaving device has passed entirely under the machine and has reached the top ot the machine and started to weave and has been coiled about the first strand wire, tor unless the end ot the stay wire be held while the spool mechanism revolves about the lirst strand wire, .it is obvious that the stay wire would not coil on the strand wire. ills soon as that coil is connoleted, the stay wire holding' means is released and remains in a state ot inactivity until. the cutting ott period has been reached. That mechanism will. now be described.

lThere is a. cutting and holding mechanism mounted on each end of each weaving device, as shown in Fig'. 5. so that when the time comes it will cut olli and hold each of the two stav wii eiiie carried by the one n ving: 4 (ln on llongitndinal side see lliig. 6, there is a 156, the ends oit which. lie between the bearing pieces 123 and the vertical bars 151 thatare secured yto the inner surfaces of the side plates 101 and the bearii'ig; pla tes 12v The upper ends oit said bars 151 are turned down at 152 to torni a vertical guide way for a pin 153 that projects loosely into the slot thus formed and thereby the vertical movements of the plate 150 are guided and the upward limit thereof maintained. Upon the upper side of the bar 150, near each end, there is a stationary combined. knife and holding; block 155 see Figs. 6 and 1T, `that has a knife edge at i ,i This -'ierates with a corr pending movable knite and lujilding block 157 that has a ln'nte et e 156 that coiiperates with the laznite yerlgne 156, so that when th xv are broilgl'it into engagement with the n 1, 60, the wire will be eut and held firmly, as sl viown in 1T. To enable the wire to be htly held, the faces of said blocks 155 and 1;. i are curved somewhat to kinkthe wire. The movable knife and holding` block 157 is mounted on the upper end of' the lever 159 that is tulcrumed at 160 on the bar 150 and to the lower end of said lever there is a pivoted bar 161 that runs to and is pivoted eccentrically to the disk 162 which is mounted on a pin 163 secured to the castingI 107. The connecting bars 161 trom the cuttingV olil and l'iolding mechanism on two :les of the weaving device are pivoted at diametrically opposite points to the disk 162 and said disk actuated by a` ii'ocltiiiin' bar 161i that is secured on. said spindle 163 and is actuated by a .cam plate 1 v located on plate 115 ot the `frame of the machine, and friction wheel 166 being mounted on said rocking` bar 16st to engage with said cam plate. Said cam plate is engaged by the wheel 166 as the weaving` device is n'ioved longitudinally through the machine toward the end o t the operation, that is, immediately afl'ter the stay wires have been coiled about the last strand wire and when the locking' lever 164tis thus actuated. as shown in Fig'. 6, it throws both connectingv bars 161 outwardly or endwise which causes the knives and holdingblocks to be operated for cutting off the ends of the stay wires and holding the same. is soon as the rockingl bar 1611 is operated thus, as shown in 6, a` locking trip bar 170 is moved. laterally into engagement with the lower end oit the bar 1611 so as to hold it in that locked po, .tion while the weaving device goes down the rear end of the machine and back under the machine and up over the front end of the machine. This locking trip 170 is shown in Fins. 67 12, 13 and lll and it is in the form oit a bell cranl-I lever' :tulcriuned on the pin 171 in the under side of the plate 100 ot the weaving device and is slnunir into ei'ipgaggement by the spring; 172 extending' trom said plate 160 to said trip lever, as soon as the rocking bar 1li-l has been actuated tar enough to let the end of the trip bar 1.76 slip behind it, as shown in Fig. 6. A stop 270 limits the return movement ot loch 170. But, in order to bring the knife and the holding blocks lup in position to engage, cut ott and hold the stay wires, it is necessary to elevate them and the plate 15() from the position indicated in Fig. 5 and which is the normal position.y to the position shown in Fig. 6. This elevation oit 'the cutting oitl:q and holding mechanism is accoii'iiiilished by ent1 sions 260 on the ends ot the plate 150 rid ,m up over the inclined ends ot the plates Q61. on the under side of each strand wire holdiiug1 bar S6. This plate 5261 is located near the lett hand end oi each ot said bars so that they will be en- Laeefl only when the stay wires are being' coiled about the last strand wire. This block is shown in detail in Fig'. 1S where it is seen to have an inclined forward edge and a groove 262 in it which the end 5260 et' the ]3 late 150 enters so that the ledge in the snrtace of the block 261 thus formed will support temporarily the cutting oli and holding mechanism. After the said n'iechanism is locked by the locking trip 17() there is no further need ot the elevating' blocks 261.

After each weavingl device has woven its pair of stay wires with the strand wires, it passes down over the right hand wheel 64; and vis moved horizontally back to the front and durinp` such longritudinal movement of' the weaving device, it is Igradually shoved over trom the legit h a nd side of the machine, as shown in Fin?. 2, to the rigl'it hand side.y by the diagonally extending guide bar 173 that is secured on the under side of the cross bars 35 of the frame. This bar 173 is a piece of angle iron that is engaged by the friction wheel 109 which during said movement, extends upward from the weaving device, as shown in Fig. 2.

Then the weaving device has reached the forward end and the other side of the machine, it passes up over the left hand wheel 66, as shown in Fig. 1 and begins weaving the stay wires again with the strand wires, and as the stay wires are coiled about the first strand wire, their ends are still held by the holding mechanism which has been described. About the time the first coil of the stay wires is completed the end 174 of the locking lever engages the finger 175 on the plate 115, as shown in Figs. f1 and 13, which disengages said locking means and releasesI the rocking bar 164e which is withdrawn by the spring 275 connecting said bar 16e with the end of the bar 176 and that spring through the bars 164, 161, 159 releases the wire holding mechanisn'i until the cutting off time again arrives.

T he means for gripping and drawing the strand wires through the machine will now be. explained. Referring to Figs. 19, 25, 26 and 27, it will be observed that npoii each opposite pair of link members 62 there is secured trans\f'ersely of the machine a plate having at 'proper intervals thereon stationary holding blocks 181 and movable holding blocks 182. These lattei holding blocks are fulcruined on pins 183 and are integral, as here shown, with arms 181, wliei'eby the movable blocks 182 ai'e moved away from the stationary blocks 181, as shown in Fig. 27, so as to let the strand wires in between said holding blocks and are movable together in gripping position. as shown in Fig. 25. Each set of holding blocks is located the same distance from each other as the strand wires, and each holding block 182 and its lever 18st is held in gripping position by the spring 285 that runs diagonally from thev rear end of the bar 181A to a point at the left hand thereof on the plate 180, as shown in Fig. This gives to each set of holding blocks independence and an'individuality of tension to accommodate each set of holding blocksI to grip the particular wire between them, regardless of the size of the wires between the other sets of blocks. lith this construction some longitudinal wires may be used' versely of the machine by the cam plate 187 which is secured to the frame of the machine, as seen in Figs. 8 and 27. Rollers 188 are placed on the ends of the bar 185 to engage said cain. There is a cam plate 187 at each end of the machine, so that this gripping mechanism may be opened as it. travels upto the longitudinal wires at the front end of the machine in order to receive and grip said wires and also be opened at the rear end of the machine in order to release said wires before the gripping mechanism starts to move downward.

Attention is called to the fact that the roller 46 .is held in an elevated position `on posts 200, at the rear end of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the fabric will not catch the upwardly projecting portions of the endless carriage, such as arms 85, after the longitudinal wires of the fabric have been released by the gripping mechanism. Also attention is called to the fact that the spool holders aie so formed as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, that the longitudinal wire 44 will issue centrally from the end of the spool holder at the point of coiliiig the cross wire therewith, while between the ends of the spool holder, as shown in Fig. 9, the longitudinal wire is not central. This centering of the longitudinal wire is caused by the guide bar 86 and is permitted by the deep V-shaped slot in each end of the connecting portion 126 of each spool holder. Therefore, each longitudinal wire is exactly in the center of a circular path of the eye or part 138 as it revolves. This materially contributes to the successful coiling of the cross wires on the longitudinal wires. Furthermore, gear 135, see Fig. 5, has on diametrically opposite sides two double teeth 290 to mesh with the mouths of the V-shaped slots in the gear or disk 122.

That I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for making wire fabric, including a frame, a carriage, endless means movable longitudinally of the machine for moving said carriage, means for supporting the longitudinal wires of the fabric above said frame, means on said carriage for gripping and holding the longitudinal wires while said carriage is moving above the frame, a device in connection and movable with the 'carriage for weaving cross wires with the longitudinal wires, and means for causing said weaving device to move transversely to the longitudinal wires in succession.

2. A machine for making wire fabric, including means for longitudinally moving the longitudinal wires of the fabric continuously, a device mounted in connection with said means movable therewith for weaving cross wires with the longitudinal. wires, and,

a guide-way for causing said weaving device to move transversely to all of the longitudinal. wires successively.

3. A machine for making Wire fabric, ijncluding means for longitudinally moving the longitudimil Wires of the fabric, a device nuninted in connection with said means for weaving cross Wires with the longitudinal Wires While the .lm'igitudinal Wires are nmving, and means for guiding said weaving device alternatel)T in longitiu'linal and diagonal directions Wherebfi, it canv unite the cross wires vv ith the longitudinal Wires while moving loi'igitudinally and will pass from one loi'lgitudimil Wire to aiuiithei.' while moving diagonally.

l. fr machine for making Wire fabric, lincluding means for longitudinally moving the lol'igitudinal 'Wires of lthe fabric, a device mounted. in (.roinnection `with said .means for Weaving cross wires with the longitudinal. Wires while the longitudinal Wires are nmving, and a guide-way .for guiding the directitm of niovement of said Weaving device, which irate longitudinally and diagonally extending sections, the limgitudinal sections of said guide-ivajyT being parallel with the longitudinal Wires.

A machine for making Wire fabric, including an endless carriage n'iovable longitiuflinally of the machine, means thereon for liolding the lol'igitudinal wires of the fabric wherebT the).7 will be moved along the machine, a plurality of devices mounted on said carriage and movable therewith for Weaving cross wires with the hmgitudinal wires, there being one of said weavil'ig devices with each longitudinal ivire and means for causing said Weaving devices to move transversely of the longitiulinal. wires in 6. machine for making wire fabric, including an endless carriage n'iovable longitudinally of the machine, means thereon for holding the longitudinal wir s of the fabric whereby the)r will. be moved along the machine, a device mounted on said carriage and movable therewith for Weaving a plu- 'alitjfY of independent cross wires simultaneously with the longitudinal Wires and means for causing said Weaviiig n'ieans to inove transversely to the longitudinal Wires in succession.

7. A n'iaehine for making Wire fabric, including a revoluble spool holder having opposi ely located radizil'slots toA receive the longitudinal Wire, and means for n'ioving said device from one longitudinal wire to the next one, whereby the spool holder may escape from one longitudinal wire and receive the next one in its slot without the rotation. thereof during the said shifting rrmvement of the `weaving device.

8. A machine for making 'Wire fabric, in-

fuide-way composed of alter-` cluding a revoluble spool holder having oppositely located radial V-shaped slots to receive the longitudinal Wire, and means for moving said device from one longitudinal Wire to the next one, wherebj)7 the spool holder may escape from one longitudinal nire and receive the next one in its V- shaped slots Without the rotation thereof (illni'ing the said shifting movement of the weaving device.

9. A machine for nnlking Wire fabric, including a revoluble spool holder With a place near the center thereof for receiving a longitudinal Wire, and means for moving said. spool holder from one longitudinal Wire to the next in a direction at a right angle to a plane through the centers of the tivo spools.

1.0. A machine for making Wire fabric, includin a revoluble spool holder with a place near the center thereof for receiving a longitudinal wire, means .for moving said spool holder.' from one longitudinal wire to the next in a direction at a right angle to a plane thrcnigh the centers of the tivo spools, and means for holding said spool holder with the spools in said position during said shifting movement.

1l. A machine for making Wire fabric, inchuiling a revoluble spool holder having oppr. 'itely located radial slots to receive the longitudinal` Wire, means for moving said device from one lfmgitudinal Wire to the next one, whereby the spool holder .may escape from. one longitudinal wire and receive the next one in its slot Without the rotation th reof during the said shifting movement of the weaving device, and means for holding said spool holder with said slots thereof during the shifting movement in subwires.

A machine for making Wire fabric, including Wea ving device for Weaving a cross Wire With the lcmgitudinal Wires of the fabric having a spool holder for holding a Spool containing' a cross Wire, and means mounted on said device for cutting off the cross Wire, after it is Woven.

13. A machine for making wire fabric, including a Weaving device for Weziving cross wires with the longitudinal Wires of the fabric having a holder for a spool, a spool mounted therein and carrying a Wire for foiiining cross wires in the fabric, and means mou'l'ited. on the device for holding the end of the Wire left on the spool after it has been cut from a cross wire Woven in place.

1.4. A machine for making Wire fabric. including means for holding the longitudinal ivi. s, a revoluble spool-holder mounted in (.:lmnection with said means movable transv er ely thereof for 'weaving cross Wires with said ltingitud'irlal. W3' es, means for causing said weaving means to move transversely to stantially the saine plane as the longitudinalA the longitudinal wires in succession, and

means for revolving said spool holder a number of revolutions and one-half a revolutio-n more, whereby said spool holder may readily be moved transversely from one longitudinal wire to the next.

l5. A machine for making wire fabric, 1ncluding means for holding the longitudinal wires, a spool holder mounted in connection with said means and transversely movable thereon for weaving a cross wire with said longitudinal wires, said spool holder having slots longitudinally thereof on opposite sides of the center fo-r said longitudinal wires, and means for revolving said spool holder anumber of revolutions and one-half of a revolution more, whereby said spool holder may readily be moved transversely from one longitudinal wire to the next.

1G. A machine for making wire fabric, including a weaving device having a revoluble spool holder with a place near the center thereof to receive a longitudinal wire, two spools mounted in said holder on opposite sides of the center for holding cross wires, and an eye eccentrically located in each end of the spool holder through which the wires from the spools respectively pass, the eye for cach spool being on the side of the center of the spool holder opposite said spool.

17. A machine for making wire fabric, including means for holding the longitudinal wires, a spool transversely movable thereon for weaving a cross wire with said longitudinal wires, said spool having slots longitudinally thereof on opposite sides of the center for said longitudinal wires, means for revolving said spool a number o-f revolutions and one-half of a revolution more, whereby said spool may readily be moved transversely from one longitudinal wire to the next, and means for giving the spool holder a quarter turn after it has left the last longitudinal wire in the series, whereby the spools will be in' a horizontal plane to render them accessible.

18. A machine for making wire fabric, including an endless carriage, means thereon for holding the longitudinal wires, a weaving` device movable transversely of the carriage carryii'ig a revoluble spool holder having a number of slots longitudinally thereof on opposite sides of the center, means for revolving said spo-ol holder a number of revolutions and one-half a revolution more, whereby said spool holder may readily be moved transversely from one longitudinal wire to the next, and means for giving the spool holder a quarter turn more afterv it has left the last longitudinal wire of the series. whereby the spools will be in horizontal plane and accessible while pass"' v back to position in connection wi tl! the first longitudinal wire of the series,

19. A machine for making wire fabric, including an endless carriage, means thereon for holding the longitudinal wires, a weavin device movable transversely of the carriage carrying a revoluble spool holder having a number of slots longitudinally thereof on opposite sides of the center, means for revolving said spool holder a number of revolutions and one-half a revolution more, whereby said spool holder may readily be moved transversely from one` longitudinal wire to the next, means for giving the spool holder a quarter turn more after it has left the last longitudinal wire of the series, whereby the spools will be in horizontal plane and accessible while passing back to position in connection with the first longitudinal wire of the series, and means for giving the said spool holder another quarter turn as it approaches the first longitudinal wire of the series and bring the slot in said spool holder in position to receive said lirst longitudinal wire.

20. A machine for making wire fabric, including an endless carriage formed of two oppositely located sprocket like chains made up of two sorts of links alternating with each other, means transversely connecting the pairs of one form of said links for carrying the device for weaving cross wires with the longitudinal wires, and means connecting the pairs of the other form of links for holding the longitudinal wires of the fabric.

9.1. A machine for making wire fabric, including an endless carriage formed of two oppositely located sprocket-like chains made up of two sorts of links alternating with each other, a pair of pivot rods transversely connecting the pairs of one form of said links, a device for weaving cross wires with the longitudinal wires that is slidably mounted on each pair of said pivot rods, and means connecting each pair of the other form of links for holding the longitudinal wires of the fabric.

A machine for making wire fabric, including an endless carriage formed of two oppositely located sprocket-like chains made up of two sorts of links alternating with A each other, means transversely connecting the pairs of one form of said links for carrying` a device for weaving cross wires with the longitudinal wires, a weaving device mounted on said connection, and means on each side of the weaving device and carried by said links for guiding the longitudinal wires.

23. A machine for making wire fabric, including an endless carriage formed of two oppositely located sprocket-like chains made up ,of two sorts of links alternating with each other, a pair of pivot rods transversely connecting the pairs of one form of said links, a device for weaving cross wires with 

